The Natural Chicken Keeping thread - OTs welcome!

[Sally8]

This is my finished Easter Hatch

I just love all the colors! What always amazes me is that chicks are all these colors and they grow up to be gray or white or some color that they weren't. Why can't EE's grow up and look like chipmunks or Sex Links have 2 darker stripes when they grow up. I will say that my absolute favorite hen or roo color is white. lol

 

[aoxa]

I'll bet he'll sleep like a baby tonight. Puppies are so cute.

He passed out on the way home hehe. He plays and crashes.. than pees and plays and crashes again.

 

[aoxa]

Lydia, Penny's daughter (or granddaughter) has the coolest single barred feather in her tail.

 

[bluebirdnanny]

It's actually spelled "wolmanized" but, yes, it sounds like "woman-ized". Every time my neighbor (a big, gruff, bachelor) mentions it when advising me how to build something I giggle like a 3rd grader and he never, ever gets it!

Uh, I had the L in there and the grammar/spelling check corrected it!!!!!!!!!! Thought I had it wrong all this time.

 

[Kilsharion]

Does it say anything about making alcohol after 48 hours? Because the FF thread is going off lately about how we're making alcohol if it sits for long, unless we add ACV. The new people are confusing me! Going to read the article now...my girls are running around like sugar-fueled maniacs, so I have some free time.

Um...no FF was not "going off" on that. What was being said, however, was that if vinegar was not introduced to the mix, the fermentation was ripe to potentially become alcoholic. At which point I tested the FF to point out to that person (Leahs Mom) that we are NOT creating alcohol.

The specific gravity showed that there was no threat of alcohol being created in the process as followed by the people on the FF thread.

edited by staff

 

[Leahs Mom]

Fresh eggs get a bad rap when it comes to using them as hard boiled eggs. The reason is because the albumen, or the egg white, will stick to the shell of a fresh egg. Often you see advice to let the eggs age, because then it doesn’t stick as much to the shell. It is possible to use even an egg that has been laid the same day.

There seem to be many different ways of cooking (boiling) fresh eggs in their shell so that they peel. The method I use is as follows: bring the eggs up to room temperature. Bring your water to a slow boil, add salt, and ladle in the eggs. Cook at a slow boil for 15 minutes, then ladle out into a pan of cold water. Let sit in the water for awhile to cool, then the eggs can be stored in the fridge until you want to peel them. I use this method. It works and I am not going to fix it. I do need to use a timer or I over cook them every time.

Other methods I have seen but not used include adding a teaspoon of baking soda to the water, and using the traditional method of starting with cold water. Another idea that deserves merit is adding vinegar. I’ve also seen people suggest using olive oil. If your hard cooked eggs have a green tinge to the yolk, they are overcooked. Leave them in the hot water less the next time.

Another method is to use a push pin on the fat end of the egg. Slowly lower into soft boiling water. Soft boil for 15 minutes.

Thanks for posting that. At this time of year when so many people are doing hard-boiled eggs it's good to have!

Great pictures LM. Beautiful babies

I'm surprised that the black SFH is so solid. Is that normal?

There is a great debate - and waiting - to try to figure out whether it is a sfh. It seems that they may have mixed a different breed in by mistake. She/he should have more yellow in the legs/feet than they do. But some have the more gray/pink until they're older.

He/She does have some white tips on the feathers but not as much as you'd expect.

If it doesn't become obvious in a few months, I wouldn't breed her as a SFH. We'll see. The gal I got her/him from has some theories of what it might be it it turns out not to be Swedish.

ETA: They were hatching several different breeds at the same time so one of them may have gotten mixed in. I've looked at many photos of the 2 other breeds they have and either one is a possibility - except for the white tipped feathers. I've also looked at photos of predominantly black SFH to compare. He/She has very yellow TOES & NAILS (!) I'm "patiently"

waiting a few more months to try to determine!

 

[BlueMouse]

Happy Easter all! I couldn't resist sharing this photo of my daugher trying out her tricycle, watched by a very suspicious Mr. Bennet.

 

[Eggcessive]

There has been a recent suggestion to get perfect "hardboiled eggs" by baking them (dry) at 325 degreesF for 20 minutes, then place in very cold water. I haven't tried it yet since I sell most of my eggs, but will try it soon.

LeahsMom--nice looking flower hens, great pictures.

 

[aoxa]

There has been a recent suggestion to get perfect "hardboiled eggs" by baking them (dry) at 325 degreesF for 20 minutes, then place in very cold water. I haven't tried it yet since I sell most of my eggs, but will try it soon.

LeahsMom--nice looking flower hens, great pictures.

I have heard that as well. If anyone wants to try it first and let me know - I'll give it a go.

Whatever you do, don't try to boil an egg in the microwave.

Yes I was a stupid teenager at one point with heavy sleeping pills (I had night terrors as a teen) and I would sleep eat LOL Yeah.. Tried that.. Woke up real fast.

Makes the perfect exploded egg.

 

[Eggcessive]

I make scrambled eggs in the microwave if it's just one for some baby chicks. Put it in a measuring cup, stir it cover with damp paper towel, cook 15 seconds, stir it, cook 15 seconds. Stir it and may need 5-10 more seconds depending on the size. If you watch it through the door it looks like a souffle LOL.